Now You See God, Now You Don't

Unmasking the Divine on Purim.

Nineteen years ago, during my first month living in Israel, I was riding a bus up Jerusalem's main thoroughfare, Jaffa Road. The bus stopped for a red light, and I gazed out the window. I saw an elderly, overweight woman trudging up the hill, schlepping many large bags. A beggar was sitting on the pavement, his hand outstretched. The old woman stopped, set her bags down, one at a time, on the sidewalk, rummaged through her purse, took out her wallet, and handed a coin to the beggar. At that point, the light changed and my bus drove off.

Last week, I left my house late for an appointment. Loaded down with bags of empty bottles to recycle at the supermarket after my appointment, I walked as fast as I could toward my car, parked in the Jewish Quarter parking lot, a five-minute walk from my house. Nearing the parking lot, I passed a beggar woman, her hand outstretched. I had given to this particular woman the week before, but now I was in a hurry and my arms ached from the weight of the bottles. As I raced by her, I called out, "This time I can't. I'm sorry."

I was five or six meters down the street when I remembered the old lady on Jaffa Road 19 years before. She was older, heavier, and more overburdened than I, yet she had stopped in her tracks in order to give a beggar a coin. If she could do it, so could I. I turned around, walked back the several meters to the beggar, put all my bags down with a clank, rummaged through my purse for my wallet, and gave the woman a shekel coin. She smiled and heaped blessings upon me.

3-DIMENSIONAL ACTIONS

Every action a human being does has three dimensions of effect. It affects the performer of the action, like a point on a page. It affects the other person or persons involved, as when a point extends to a line or a square. And it affects those who witness the action, indeed the whole society, as when a square swells into a cube.

For example, if A steals money from B, A affects himself; his own level of honesty and integrity is diminished. He also affects B, who is not only out that amount of money, but whose level of trust is now diminished. In addition, he affects whoever witnesses or hears of the theft, for stealing is now added to their concept of possible human behavior. The more thefts they witness or hear about, the more the "possible" becomes the "normal."

This third effect actually encompasses not only those individuals who witness or hear about the theft, but society as a whole. Growing up in the 1950s and 1960s in America, I never saw a store with anti-shoplifting detectors at the exit. The plastic tags attached to every garment in every clothes store today did not exist. People could pay for their purchases by check without having to provide three different proofs of identity. What happened?

Individuals started to steal. Each and every theft chipped away at the standard of honesty in American society. What was once idiosyncratic became the norm. In this same way, every action performed by every individual, subtly but tangibly, affects the whole.

Judaism has two words that embody this concept. "Kiddush Hashem" means those actions that reveal God's presence in the world. "Hillul Hashem" means those actions that hide God's presence.

Although Kiddush Hashem is most often used to describe grand, heroic deeds, it applies as well to any action that reveals God in the world.

Whenever a human being performs an act of integrity, honesty, kindness, compassion, or self-sacrifice, he is revealing godliness in the world. "Kiddush Hashem" literally means "sanctifying the Divine Name." Although the term is most often used to describe grand, heroic deeds, such as when Jews have chosen death rather than forsaking their religion, it applies as well to any action that reveals God in the world.

The old lady on Jaffa Road stopping to give the beggar a coin performed a Kiddush Hashem. By revealing her capacity for kindness despite the hassle involved she made me aware of my own capacity to choose kindness over convenience. She raised my standard of "How much am I willing to trouble myself to help someone?" Since kindness is an attribute of God, more kindness in society means a greater revelation of God in the world.

Conversely, whenever a human being performs an act of meanness, cruelty, avarice, dishonesty, or selfishness, he is hiding God's presence in this world. "Hillul" comes from the Hebrew word for "empty space"; a Hillul Hashem makes the world seem empty of God.

Every action is a stone thrown into an infinite pond; the ripples it causes go out in ever greater circles, endlessly. Nineteen years ago, an old lady on Jaffa Road put down her bundles to give a beggar a coin. She had no idea she was being observed. Nineteen years later, inspired by that old lady, I walked back five meters and put down my bags in order to give a beggar a coin. I have no idea whether I was being observed…

THE KING'S FEAST

Revealing and hiding the Divine is the essence of the Purim story.

It's not only the Purim mega-heroes who play a key role; the common Jews were the catalyst for the decree of doom.

We usually view thePurim story in terms of its mega-heroes: Esther, Mordechai, Achashverosh, and Haman. Yet the sages attribute the catalyst for the decree of doom to the common Jews, who were guilty of Hillul Hashem.

The Book of Esther begins by describing a lavish feast thrown by King Achashverosh for his subjects. Like everyone else, the Jewish citizens of the realm attended. The sages assert that the genocidal decree against the Jews that Haman later enacted (with the approval of the king) was the result of ordinary Jews' attending the feast.

According to the Talmud, King Achashverosh was celebrating the conclusion of 70 years since the beginning of the exile from Judea. Since the prophet Jeremiah had prophesized that the Babylonian exile would last for 70 years (counting from the destruction of the First Temple, not from the initial stage of the exile), Achashverosh concluded (wrongly) that the victory over the Jews could now be deemed complete and final. For his celebratory feast, he used the sacred vessels from the Temple, and came dressed in the garments of the High Priest.

The sages are quick to point out that kosher food was served to the Jewish citizens. No laws of the Torah were transgressed at the feast. Yet, the sages maintain, the punishment for attending was a decree of extermination from which the Jews only narrowly escaped. Why?

Attendance at King Achashverosh's feast was a Hillul Hashem. While the Temple and its vessels were meant to sanctify the mundane constituents of the physical world, Achashverosh's feast did precisely the opposite: By using the sacred vessels for mundane purposes, the party degraded what was holy. The Jews should have responded to this sacrilege by mourning and distancing themselves. Instead, the temptation to attend a party at the palace overcame them. Their attendance was an implicit endorsement of Achashverosh's worldview, a world in which God was conspicuously absent.

According to the Talmud, Hillul Hashem is the hardest sin to atone for, because, by its very nature, its effect is so widespread that it is virtually impossible to undo the damage. Once the stone has been thrown into the pond, who could possibly stop the ripples?

UNMASKING THE DIVINE

The Book of Esther is the only book in the Bible where God is never mentioned. The sages explain that that epoch, immediately after the destruction of the First Temple, signaled a monumental change in the way God relates to His world. The Temple itself (and before that the Tabernacle) was a medium of Divine revelation. When the Temple was destroyed (because of rampant sin), God entered a mode of hiddenness. In fact, the Divine hand shapes the entire Purim story, but it is concealed in the guise of "coincidence," "luck," and the seemingly natural unfolding of events.

"Hiddenness" is an essential characteristic of God in this world. Even the Hebrew word for "world" -- "olam" -- comes from the root word meaning "hidden." From the time of the Purim story until today, our challenge in this world is to expose the Divine hiding behind the appearances of our everyday world.

The term for that is "Kiddush Hashem." Every time we choose generosity, truth or integrity we are revealing God in this world. We are unmasking the Divine.

At every moment, we can reveal God either by identifying Him or emulating Him.

Every time we choose meanness, pettiness or dishonesty, we camouflage God and add another layer to the Divine disguise. This generates a Hillul Hashem. We create a world where, for ourselves and everyone around us, God is missing.

The climax of the Purim story takes place when Queen Esther, risking her life to do so, invites King Achashverosh and his viceroy, the debonair and courtly Haman, to a private dinner in her quarters. There Queen Esther reveals the plot of genocide against her and her people. The king, outraged, demands to know who is the culprit behind the plot. In one of the most dramatic flourishes in Scripture, Queen Esther points to Haman and exposes his true identity: "A vile man! An enemy! This evil Haman!"

Purim is about hiddenness, shrouded identities, and beguiling appearances. It challenges us to expose the truth, like Queen Esther did. Unlike Queen Esther, however, we point not at the villain, but at the Divine. "Here He is… behind what happened to me today." "Here He is… behind the beauty of nature." "Here He is… behind the newspaper headlines."

At every moment, we can reveal God either by identifying Him or emulating Him. Our models are Queen Esther pointing her finger, and the old lady setting down her bundles. We don't have to be an illustrious personage to reveal God in this world.

In memory of Yoseph Dov ben Yechiel Michal Aaron.

Sara Yoheved Rigler’s all-encompassing online marriage program, “Choose Connection: How to Revive and Rejuvenate Your Marriage” is available to Aish.com readers at a special price. Click here for more info: http://www.jewishworkshops.com/webinars/connection/

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About the Author

Sara Yoheved Rigler is a popular international lecturer on subjects of Jewish spirituality. She has given lectures and workshops in Israel, England, France, South Africa, Mexico, Canada, Chile, Panama, and over 35 American cities. She is one of the most popular authors on Aish.com, world’s biggest Judaism website, and is a columnist for Ami Magazine. Sara Yoheved Rigler is the author of five best-sellers: Holy Woman; Lights from Jerusalem; Battle Plans: How to Fight the Yetzer Hara (with Rebbetzin Tziporah Heller); G-d Winked; and Heavenprints . She gives a weekly Marriage Webinar for Jewish Workshops on a spiritual approach to marriage, with hundreds of members throughout the world. She lives in the Old City of Jerusalem. Her newest book, Emunah with Love and Chicken Soup, the story of Henny Machlis, the Brooklyn-born girl who became a Jerusalem legend, was was released in November, 2016. Her website is: sararigler.com.

The opinions expressed in the comment section are the personal views of the commenters. Comments are moderated, so please keep it civil.

Visitor Comments: 31

(29)
Anonymous,
March 5, 2017 6:23 PM

why was the fact she was overweight mentioned. What does that have to do with the story?

(28)
Kate Gladstone,
March 9, 2014 8:04 PM

"self-sacrifice"?

You write about "self-sacrifice"? Do you indeed believe that, when you chose to help the old woman give her money to a beggar, you were doing something that somehow "sacrificed" yourself and your choices?

(27)
Anonymous,
March 5, 2014 1:48 AM

True Value

More than the monetary shekel , the act of stopping, acknowledging and sharing with another human being means more than money alone ever could.

(26)
H.Meilech,
March 4, 2014 7:46 PM

Decree not lifted

There was more to the climax. The decree against the Jews was NOT lifted Once a kings decree was made it could not be rescinded. That was the law. Another decree was made to give Jews weapons to defend themselves. Those that could not fight or did not receive weapons died. That is the end of the purim story.

(25)
Anonymous,
February 20, 2012 2:48 PM

This article hit home. Just this week I was rushing with many bags and did not stop to give a coin to the beggar woman, and it bothered me!

(24)
Anonymous,
February 20, 2012 2:48 PM

Loved your Purim article!

Dear Ms. Rigler,
Your article about Purim and Kiddush Hashem is beautiful! And it gave me new perspective not only on Purim but also, or especially, on the importance of kind deeds large or small, known to others or not. While I do try to be kind to all I meet, there are many instances in which I fail miserably, sometime just because I think I cannot take the time. But now, I hope that I will be able to make those few extra seconds when I encounter someone in need.
Thank you so much for this article!
Sincerely,
Bonnie Dietrich

(23)
Anonymous,
February 20, 2012 2:47 PM

Topic covered broke open my 'hard' places in my heart

"Thank You" are only words typed here, but the topic Mrs. Rigler covered here are 'tools' God used to break open the 'oil of blessing others' in my heart for His "total glory". --"Thank You"....and may this 'ripple' back to Mrs. Rigler, from another "Rigler" ( maiden name ) that her act of kindess and time to share this story have not been written in vain, or wasted time. God wastes nothing that brings Him 'total glory'......may I continue to spread Mrs. Rigler's story by stopping every time I can to bless others also for God's glory...and "BLESS YOU, BLESS YOU" Mrs. Rigler, and all those who give to and support AISH making it possible for me to read this...and "DO" acts of "INTENTIONAL" kindess to "SHOW" God to the world in my little area of the globe. BLESSINGS and true 'shalom' to all. :o)

Anonymous,
March 10, 2014 4:44 AM

A Miraculous Encounter

Great Baruchas to you. My father always put gelt into a line of pushkas every Erev Shabbas.He always had a guest from shul on Pesach. In 1956 I was 18. I was on my way to buy a battery for my boss' hearing aid. At 11:30 am on a hot sunny day before the worker's came into the street. Maybe six peoplewere outside. Out of nowhere a man walked up in front of me.I stopped. He said he "I didn't eat in a couple of day's" and helooked it. I had two dollars on me. I gave him one dollar. He shook my hand, instantly my mind expanded with the LOVE ofG-D. He walked past me. I turned around, He Vanished. I always give. This was one of many Mystical, supernatural happening's in my life. By the way He spoke to me telepathically. Readers please search your memory. Some may recall unusual occurrences and hesitate to share. never did drugs, no drunkeness, no smoking. I did pray often to knowG-D personally. I was answered numerous times. We are all Very Special to our Creator. Ask and you will receive.

I enjoyed your article immensely. I live in San Francisco,Ca where there are many home less people begging for money. Most of these people use the money for either alcohol ot drugs. I only give when I have it some food or water. Any response to this?

(21)
Anonymous,
February 20, 2012 2:46 PM

The Fourth Dimension

Unmasking the Divine on Purim by Sara Yoheved Rigler. I was greatly blessed to read the following article. One thought that came to mind with regards the Three Dimensions of human actions was the oft forgot Fourth Dimension. Every act effects The Performer, The Other Person, The witnesses and G-d. Throughout Scripture we witness above all else how G-d is effected by the actions of humans. G-d's desire is that we become like Him ie Holy. As Sara has shown holiness is practical. G-d bless.

Thank you for this very beautiful article. It made me thing in new ways. I did not know that the root of olam in Hebrew comes from hidden. The concept of bad deeds adding a layer to the divine disguise is truly amazing and not something I had contemplated in quite this way. We cannot give to every beggar on the street but if we pass, we should at least, in my view, be aware of the omission and it is the morality of the thought that also is part of the mitzva, a heightened awareness of suffering and our part in the dynamic of give and take. All acts as all thought, is important in the shift towards the light.

(18)
connie,
March 5, 2007 10:45 AM

I strive to walk the Kiddush Hashem way, Amen!

Be careful little feet where you go. Be careful little hands what you do. Be careful little eyes what you see , for God and others are watching over you.TY for this article.

(17)
Anonymous,
August 16, 2006 12:00 AM

akin to a compact d'var torah

my home is in an area where there notenough for a minyan --these articles serve to connect me with judiasm andjewishness

(16)
John L.Williams,
July 29, 2006 12:00 AM

This article is awesome and has inspired me

I think the world will be a better place each day. If people could humble themselves to do something good for someone else like the old lady. Who disreguarded her burdens to help bring joy to another person.

(15)
Ria,
March 15, 2006 12:00 AM

Beautiful work

Wonderfully written. Though I am not a Jew, I am deeply moved by this article. This site has been an answer to many of my spiritual questions.

(14)
Anonymous,
March 21, 2005 12:00 AM

This article humbled me.

Thank you so much for this incredible article. I learned so much and I am so embarrassed and ashamed about how I turned down a beggar at the local grocery store. From now on I would like to give tzedakah to everyone! Thank you for the eye-opener!

(13)
Cyndi,
March 20, 2005 12:00 AM

Amazing article!

I think this article expresses beautifully what Purim is all about, in a very clear and concise manner. Thank you for publishing it here.

(12)
Rose Glasser,
March 13, 2005 12:00 AM

Great!

(11)
Anonymous,
March 9, 2005 12:00 AM

On Now You See God Now You Don't See God

Miss Rigler's article makes me take a look at myself and turn inward to take an inventory of Kidush HaShem and Hillul HaShem. The article captivated my attention. I don't want to be one who brings emptiness in the world. I remember my elementary school teachers saying, "Practice makes perfect." Maybe if I try to practice being consciously aware of each of my actions and inactions I can be a giver of more perceived HaShem into the world.

(10)
chanie lapin,
March 7, 2005 12:00 AM

i enoyed your article and will use iyh at mt womens shiur tonight thanks...i like the practical approach chanie

(9)
Betty Price,
April 16, 2004 12:00 AM

I am really enjoying reading about Jewish history, and the costoms and beliefs in G-D, we gentiles have alot tolearn. Thank-you for making it available to this Gentil.

(8)
Yehoash Freedman,
March 6, 2004 12:00 AM

beautiful, powerful, accessible

Weaving the seemingly mundane into cosmic significance is Ms. Rigler's skill and we are blessed by it. Once again this holy woman touches us at our core.

(7)
dushyant,
March 2, 2004 12:00 AM

aish.com provides good and real facts about the life .
we wish that it should go ahead all the time
best luck
keep it up.

(6)
Idan,
March 2, 2004 12:00 AM

Very Nice!

very nice article, beautifully written with a lot of meaning to it! thanks for writing this.

(5)
Dena Gottlieb,
March 1, 2004 12:00 AM

As usual, Sarah Rigler puts her finger right on the essence of things

Thank you for putting into words all the stuff that I totally identify with. Hey, it's a real Kiddush Hashem!

(4)
Anonymous,
February 29, 2004 12:00 AM

great graphic!!!!

Kol Hakavod to Yitzhak Attias for a brilliant graphic.

(3)
andrea chester,
February 29, 2004 12:00 AM

"it's the little things..."

once again, mrs. rigler puts her finger right on the spot. God is watching how we treat the teenager with the body-piercings, the drunk stumbling down the street, the hungry cat or dog, to see how we really feel about Him. how charming- and how horrifying, if we recognize that we are kind only to those who can, in some way, benefit us.

thanks again, for yet another excellent article!

(2)
Anonymous,
February 29, 2004 12:00 AM

Great article

It's true, we have to be aware that people are watching what we do and they can be influenced for the good or bad.

I challenge people to start thinking now about what we could do. Even little things can have a big impact on the world. I pray for us to do more Ahavat chesed/ loving to do kindness and pratice shmirat haloshon/ watching what we say

(1)
Anonymous,
February 29, 2004 12:00 AM

this article has made me do a 1 min. introspection to make sure all my recent actions can't cause a ripple effect of chillul hashem. thank you so much for this inspiring article!